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Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
NFP is not “Rhythm.” The Rhythm (or Calendar) method was developed in the 1930s. It was based on the scientific theory that ovulation could be predicted by calculating previous menstrual cycles. This method was often inaccurate because it did not take account of the unique nature of each woman’s menstrual cycles.
Treat each woman as unique
Today’s methods of NFP do take account of such variations. Modern NFP can be used with regular or irregular cycles, during the postpartum phase, premenopause, or post-pill.
Based on observable signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle, NFP methods track the changes associated with ovulation and not only treat each woman as unique, but each cycle as well.
The accuracy of women’s observations has been validated by scientific research, and modern NFP has been shown to be 97-99.5 percent effective for avoiding/postponing pregnancy.
In the Diocese of Madison, we are blessed to have two highly effective methods available with face-to-face instruction.
Sympto-Thermal Method
The Sympto-Thermal Method is taught by six different couples located in four counties throughout our diocese (Dane, Rock, Grant, and Richland Counties).
These couples are trained by the Couple to Couple League (CCL) of NFP. The Couple to Couple League (CCL) classes consist of three small group sessions that are each about two hours long.
Creighton Model
We also have five NFP instructors that teach the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, which is an Ovulation Method of NFP.
The teaching schedule for the Creighton Model consists of one 90-minute introductory class, usually done in a small group setting, followed by a series of private follow-up sessions.
Typically couples learning the Creighton Model will meet with their instructor for eight follow-up sessions over the course of the first year of learning.
A variety of methods are also available for online or at-home learning.
Holistic approach
NFP is a holistic approach to family planning. Both husband and wife understand their fertility, emotions, and family planning intention (whether to have a baby or not).
Its successful use to avoid pregnancy relies upon a couple’s following what they know aboutthe method and one another. Successful use of NFP requires a couple to communicate. In the daily charting of their fertility signs, couples quickly appreciate their shared responsibility for family planning.
Husbands are encouraged to “tune into” their wives’ cycles, and both spouses are encouraged to speak openly to each other about their sexual desires and their ideas on family size.
Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the days of fertility. The total days of abstinence will vary from woman to woman and even from cycle to cycle, but tend to average around seven to 10 days per month.
Whatever the length of the fertile phase, no barriers or chemicals are used at any time to avoid pregnancy. Many couples report that this time of abstinence is a valuable opportunity to renew romance and focus on other, non-genital, expressions of love.
They also report that excitement for intercourse tends to build during this time on the part of both spouses, creating a “honeymoon effect” when the time of abstinence comes to an end. This is not to say that the time of abstinence is not challenging, but very few things that are good for us come without sacrifice.
To achieve pregnancy, couples have intercourse during the fertile time of the cycle. NFP can often help couples struggling to conceive. NFP is not a contraceptive; it is a true method of family planning. Couples simply adjust their behavior according to their family planning intention using the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman’s cycle.
Openness to life
NFP promotes openness to the transmission of human life and recognizes the value of children. Sexual relations are understood as love-giving as well as life-giving.
Because NFP respects the two-fold nature of sexual intercourse, it can enrich the bond between husband and wife. Indeed, it can be said that NFP promotes the understanding of “self donation” between spouses. For these reasons, it is an acceptable form of family planning for people of various religious and philosophical beliefs.
For more information about Natural Family Planning, to see a current schedule of upcoming classes, or to register for an NFP class, visit the diocesan website at www.madisondiocese.org/nfp or contact the diocesan NFP Coordinator at [email protected] or 608- 821-3134.
Couples in need of an NFP refresher class, postpartum class, or premenopause class are also encouraged to contact the diocesan NFP coordinator, who can put you in touch with an instructor in your area.
Alison Hetue is the Natural Family Planning coordinator for the Diocese of Madison.